BlackBerry Q5 Launched Locally, We Go Hands-on

In an event yesterday, BlackBerry unveiled the BlackBerry Q5 which is the most affordable BB10 device to date. It is also the second BB10 device with a physical QWERTY keypad. Aimed for the younger market, the Q5 has mid-range specs and a youthful design with more colors to choose from. It has the same features as its two more expensive brothers the Q10 and the Z10 – BBM, BBM Video, BlackBerry Hub, BlackBerry Story Maker, Time Mode camera, and access to more than 120,000 apps on the BlackBerry World.

BlackBerry Q5 Spec Sheet

• 1.2 GHz Dual Core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor
• 2GB RAM
• 8GB ROM, expandable via MicroSD up to 32GB
• 3.1 inch IPS LCD display (720 x 720 pixels) 328ppi
• 5 megapixel rear facing camera with autofocus and LED flash
• 2 megapixel front facing camera
• HSPA+, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth 4.0
• GPS with A-GPS support
• 2,180 mAh battery, non-removable
• BlackBerry 10, upgradable to BlackBerry 10.1
• SRP: P18,690

BlackBerry Q5 Hands-on

We were able to get a short hands on with the Q5 both at the launch event and the Swap, Switch and Win booth in Glorietta 1. The device is significantly lighter and thinner than its sibling the Q10. It’s available in three colors – red, black and blue. The color only available initially is black (boo) but the other variants should be coming out soon.

When it comes to the display, we get a 3.1-inch IPS LCD touchscreen. It has fairly good resolution though at 720×720. Color reproduction appears to be accurate and has normal amount of vibrancy and sharpness. Just like the Q10, the touchscreen is a good compliment to the physical tactile keypad.

Normally, if we saw a 1.2GHz dual core processor on a phone’s spec sheet, we usually think “mabagal yan”. That’s not the case on the Q5, everything was snappy when doing basic tasks. We never tried using it on heavy intense games but we would like to push its limits when we a get a unit for review.

We were definitely impressed with it. But of course we still want to do further tests like the camera and see how the processor fares on heavy use. The BlackBerry Q5 will be available starting tomorrow on BlackBerry Stores and authorized retailers for P18,690.

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!

BlackBerry is currently holding a Swap, Switch and Win mall caravan starting today till on Sunday, August 25 at Glorietta 1 Ground Floor in Makati City, Get an early bird discount when you swap and switch your phone, working or non-working, for a BlackBerry Q5. You can get the Q5 for P2,000 less and the trade-in value of the swapped mobile phone plus get a chance to win a brand new Ford Focus 1.6L 4-Door Sedan or one of the three BlackBerry Z10 smartphones.